Machine for cooking, dehydrating, and/or cooling foodstuffs



April 24, 1945. H. K, DE WEL-:R'rl-lv 2,374,425

MACHINE FOR COOKING, DEHYDRATING, AND/OR COOLING FOODSTUFFS Filed Sept, 18, 1942 2 Sheets-Shee. l

April 24, 1945.

H. K. DE WEERTH lMACHINE FOR COOKING, DEHYDRATING, AND/OR COOLING FOODSTUFFS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1942 Patented Apr. 24, 1945 MACHINE FOR. COOKING, DEHYDRATING, AND/Oa COOLING FOoos'rUFFs Harmannus Karel de Weerth, Buenos Aires,

Argentina Application September 18, 1942, Serial No. 458,888 In Argentina August 28, 1942 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for cooking, dehydrating and/or cooling foodstuffs and industrial products, and particularly to a machine combining all the means necessary to condition the product to be treated, so that same may be canned or otherwise disposed ofy directly upon leaving the machine.

It is well known that the present machines used in the canning and other similar industries perform a single function, and this makes it necessary to transfer the product, after having been treated in one machine, to a further machine or machines for the subsequent treatments required in order to condition same, and this means that the process is complicated due to the different transfers required, apart from the cost represented by the plurality of machines forming the general plant.

The ideal no doubt is to combine the plant in a single body having simple Operating means in order to control the action in successive or combined steps until the process is completed, and this is achieved withrthe machine subject of the present invention which, due to its special features and advantages is particularly Well adapted for use in connection with foodstuffs.

The machine subject of the present invention comprises a cylindrical chamber having therein a rotary drum with perforated walls, so combined that ther capacity of the machine will be determined by the space between the wall of saidl chamber and the perforated wall of the drum. In this manner, the product entering the chamber will acquire a cylindrical structure of annular section, i. e., the general mass will be hollow due to the central disposition of said drum which is in turn provided with a screw conveyor for selfcharging same. Said drum is equipped with heating means and means for receiving currents of air and other suitable uids, whereby it may be combined with the assembly so as to obtain the cooking, dehydration and even the refrigeration or thermal conditioning during the process, by means of a doublewall provided as a complement to the main chamber.

One of the main Objects of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the process may be carried out with maximum speed.

A further object of the invention is to avoid the necessity of transferring the product, all the different treatments being carried out in the sam position and location.

A still further object of the invention resides in the possibility of collecting the juices of the product being treated, so as to reincorporate them to the same product, if necessary, during the general treatment or subsequent thereto, or other,- wise dispose of them. Y

A still further object of the invention is` to ob tain the admission, displacement, agitation and discharge by means of a single action, i. e., through the motion of the drum acting coaxially within the chamber.

A further object of the invention is to produce heat, by means of a current of steam, capable of quickly and effectively cooking the product, so that it will hold all its flavor, with or without the re covered juices. i

A still further object of the invention is to rapidly dehydrate the product under treatment, through the action of air or other iiuid passed from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, through the evolution caused by the mechanical motion of the drum.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the course of the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention by way of example andvin a preferred embodiment, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the machine subject of the present invention, shown in section so as to disclose in the interior thereof the combination Obtained with the drum forming the central hollow portion and having fins and a screw conveyor, said drum constituting the main moving element of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same ma? chine, showing the manner in which the internal drum is combined so as to form and determine the charge capacity.

The same reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts or elements throughout both drawings.

As may be seen from the drawings, a. is a fixed chamber having a cylindrical bottom andwhich is practically closed. Said chamber a is provided with a hopper `I and an outlet 2, the latter being arranged at the bottom of the chamber a and 0D- posite said hopper l so that the product entering through hopper I is caused to travel through the entire length of said chamber a. Also, the upper end of said chamber a comprises a hood 3 ending in a chimney serving to release the used gases and fluids.

Concentrically to the cylindrical curvature of chamber ais a drum b having perforated walls and constituting the main element of the present invention,

Said drum b is mounted in a rotary manner by means of a set of rings 5 engaging on rollers or wheels 6. As may be seen in Fig. l, drum b extends in both directions beyond the limits of chamber a. Thus, the drum b extends beyond the ends 'I of chamber a, whereby both terminals project externally to said chamber.

One of the projecting ends of drum b is provided with a gear or pulley 8 to which is coupled a lead from any suitable motor.

A pipe 9 leads into said rotary drum b through one end thereof, said pipe 9 having branches communicating with `a plurality of tubes I arranged parallel to the perforated walls of said drum. Said tubes I0 are provided with orices aligned in front of the perforated walls of drum b, in such a manner that upon feeding steam through the pipe 9, same will project towards the perforations of said drum and into the space to be occupied by the produce to be treated.

The outer surface of drum b is provided with a helicoid II, the general radius of which is slightly smaller than the radius of the cylindrical portion of chamber a. This helicoid II constitutes a screw conveyor so that the product introduced through the hopper I may be discharged through the outlet 2, after being treated within the chamber.

Aipart from the helicoid II, the outer surface of drum b carries a plurality of ns I2 serving as stirring elements, so that through a certain action of the drum, the product will be stirred .during the treatment.

'I'he projecting ends of drum b, indicated at I3, are open and connected to conduits III which constitute a branch from the air pump or suctioning or projecting element I which should be capable of causing a current of air by projection or suction, so as to dry the product to be treated. The connection of the projecting ends I3 of drum b with said conduits I4 should be telescopic and without great friction, in order to allow the free rotation of said drum.

The ends of chamber a are provided with a set of collectors I6 for the purpose of collecting the juices given by the product under treatment, and inasmuch as said juices might also pass through the perforations in the walls of drum b, a second collector II is provided, derived from the lower portion of conduit Ili.

Both sets oi' collector I6 and I 'I lead into a common tank c having a double wall c' for the purpose of providing heat so as to prevent coagulation of certain substances. As shown in Fig. l, two pipes I8 and I8 located at different levels lead into said tank c, the opposite ends of said pipes being coupled to the inlet of a pump so as to convey the juices again into chamber a. For this purpose, a pipe I9 is connected to the outlet of said pump 2U said pipe I9 terminating in a further pipe I9' entering through the upper portion of chamber a and provided with multiple orices, so as to act as a juice dispenser and reintegrate part or all of the juices or greases which are thus returned to the chamber.

Surrounding chamber a is a double wall 2| through which cold water or a heating fluid is circulated, in order to cool or heat the product, as required, during the treatment thereof.

Operation means of a corres onding motor (not shown) transmitting its action to pulley 8, the drum b is rotated in the corresponding direction so that the helicoid II will act as a conveyor to admit the product until the space between the wall of drum b and the wall of the chamber a is fully charged with the product to be treated. In these circumstances, the outlet 2 should be kept closed by means of cover 22.

Once the space between the drum and the wall of chamber a has been fully charged, the Control is changed so that drum b, instead of rotating in a single direction, will be given an alternate motion with a semi-rotation on both directions. Thus, the helicoid II and fins I2 4will suitably stir the mass of the product contained in the chamber.

At the same time, steam is lsupplied through pipe 9, and by means of branches I0, said steam will be projected in a diffused manner, invading the internal cavity of said drum and |passing into and mixing with the mass or product being treated. This provides an effective heating by means of which the product is cooked, and the juices released thereby are gathered in collectors I6 and I'I, Said juices arrive at tank c where they can be independently disposed of or returned to the product, in a closed circuit by means of pipe I9 and pump 20, through the orifices in pipe I9'. In order to avoid coagulation of said juices, they are preferably kept warm by means of heat applied to the double wall c. Inasmuch as piipes I8 and I8 are located at different levels, the juices and greases separated by density may be withdrawn one layer :at a time, so as to return same to the mass of product in the most suitable manner. This means that, vif desired, only part of the grease may be returned to the mass, or else grease combined with gravy, in suitable proportions.

Once the product has been cooked, the steam heat is cut off. If the product requires drying or dehydrating, the fan or pump I5 is started, so as to establish a passage of air between the interstices of the mass of the product, by projection or suction, said passage of air being sufcient to evaporate the aqueous matter. In this manner, the product may be dehydrated according to the requirements in each case, which will depend on the type and condition of the product being treated. l'f the dehydrator is to work by projection, fan I5 should direct air or other fluid into the hollow center of drum b, so that through the perforations in the walls of said drum b, the air or other iluid `will enter into the mass of the product and then pass through hood 3 and chimney 4, to the atmosphere. On the other hand, if the element I5 acts by suction, the depression originated in the central portion of drum b causes the air which might penetrate into the chamber to pass through the mass of the product, leaving through the cavity of the'drum, conduit I4, etc.

If after being cooked and dehydrated, the product contained in the chamber is to be canned or packed, refrigeration is applied to the double wall 2|, which may consist of a, current of cold water' or a circulation of other uid or lye at low temperature. This cooling action should take place in cooperation with the alternate semi-rotary motion of drum b in both directions, so as to speed up the process.

In certain instances it may be desirable to heat the product in order to condition same, and in such case heat may be applied in the double wall 2 I.

Finally, by opening the door 22 and combining the control mea'ns so as to rotate the drum in a given direction, said drum b will act as a conveyor in displacing the product towards the outlet 2, through which it is discharged for disposal.

In short, the invention comprises an elongated chamber of suitable structure provided with a hollow perforated rotary drum b having heating means I therein, while the outer surface of saidl 1. Apparatus'of the character disclosed, com

prising an elongated chamber, a cylindrical drum having a perforated wall disposed within said chamber and having its opposite ends rotatably journaled in the ends of said chamber, the side walls of said chamber merging into a semi-cylindrical bottom Wall below the axis of said drum, the said side and bottom walls comprising spaced wall members defining a chamber for receiving a.

cooling medium, the first chamber having a top wallwhich with the inner of said wall members merges into a hood intermediate the ends of the chamber, a chimney extending upwardly from the hood, a hopper in said top wall adjacent one end of the chamber, an outlet in said bottom wall at the other end of said chamber, a spiral fin externally of said drum for advancing a product to be treated from said hopper toward said outlet, steam electing means within and adjacent the wall of said drum, an air circulating conduit communicating with the opposite ends of said drum, juice collecting means beneath said chamber, and means for returning the juice from said collecting means to within the chamber above the drum therein.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said juice collecting means comprises a tank, conduit connections between said rst chamber and the interior of said drum and said tank, and

wherein said returning means comprises a pump, vertically spaced conduits between said tank and said pump, and a conduit extending from said pump and terminating in a perforated longitudinal extension within said chamber above the drum therein.

3. Apparatus for cooking, dehydrating, and cooling foodstuffs or other industrial products, comprising an elongated chamber having upright side walls, a semi-cylindrical bottom wall and axially aligned cylindrical end extensions, a cylindrical drum extending through said chamber and having its opposite ends rotatably mounted in said end extensions, said chamber having an inlet at one end thereof and an outlet at the opposite end, the wall of said drum being perforated and being exteriorly provided with a spiral fin for advancing the product to be treated from said inlet toward said outlet, heating means Within said drum for effecting cooking of the product within said chamber and externally of said drum, means for effecting' air circulation through the wall of the drum and said chamber for dehydrating the cooked product, refrigerant receiving means for cooling the product within the chamber, a juice collecting tank beneathsaid chamber, `conduits between said chamber and tank for directing `iuicesthereto, a conduit extending from said tank to within said chamber' above the drum therein, anda pump insaid conduit for returning juices from said tank to said chamber.- l

4. Apparatus for cooking, dehydrating, and cooling foodstuffs or other industrial products, comprising an elongated chamber having upright side walls, a semi-cylindrical bottom Wall and axially aligned ,cylindrical end extensions, a cylindrical drum extending through said chamber and having its opposite ends rotatably mounted in said end extensions, saidchamber having an linlet at one end thereof and an outlet at the opposite end, the wall of said drum being perforated and being exteriorly provided with a spiral iin for advancing the product to be treated from said inlet toward said outlet, heating means with in said drum for effecting cooking of the product within said chamber and externally of said drum, means for effecting air circulation through the wall of the drum and said chamber for dehydrating the cooked product, refrigerant receiving means for cooling the product within the chamber, said heating means comprising a steam pipe extending axially of said drum, radial branches on said pipe, and tubes connected with and communicating with the outer ends of said branches,

said tubes extending parallel with said pipe and 40 closely adjacent the inner wall of the drum and n for advancing the product to be treated from said inlet toward said outlet, heating means within said drum for effecting cooking of the product within said chamber and externally of said drum, means for effecting air circulation through the wall of the drum and said chamber for dehydrating the cooked product, refrigerant receiving means for cooling the product within the chamber, said circulating means comprising aconduit having its opposed ends in open communication with the opposite ends of said drum, and pump means within said conduit between the Aends thereof.

HARMANNUS KAREL DE WEERTH. 

